Overview: In this shattering variation on The Monkey’s Paw, grief-stricken suburban parents (Academy Award® nominees John Marley of THE GODFATHER and Lynn Carlin of FACES) refuse to accept the news that their son Andy (Richard Backus) has been killed in Vietnam.

But when Andy returns home soon after, something may be horribly wrong: Andy is alive and well ... or is he? Produced and directed by Bob Clark (BLACK CHRISTMAS) and written by Alan Ormsby (DERANGED), DEATHDREAM was one of the very first films to confront the domestic ravages of the Vietnam War and remains one of the most chilling horror films of all time.

Blu-ray Verdict: Known as the first film featuring the incredible Tom Savini as a make-up artist, the story plays out as a couple having been informed of the death of their son Andy (Richard Backus) during the Vietnam War, but both Charles and Christine Brooks (John Marley and Lynn Carlin) are surprised when the young soldier then returns home; apparently still alive and kicking. Unfortunately, he is actually a zombie who needs to drink blood to stay looking fresh!

I’m not really a big fan of Bob Clark’s movies, in general, but here I’ll give the director his dues: with the exception of Porkys and Porkys II, no two of his films are alike. Even though his first two horror movies, Deathdream and Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, both featured zombies, they were as different as chalk and cheese (or day and night, since we’re talking about zombie films).

Clark was also an innovator, pioneering the slasher genre with Black Christmas and, with Deathdream, making one of the earliest films to deal with the horrors of the Vietnam War. And following so soon in the wake of Night of The Living Dead, it would have been easy for Clark to have cashed in on George Romero’s success with a similar story line, but instead he offers up a totally different approach to the zombie movie.

While, in all truth, it might not be anywhere near as gripping as Romero’s ’68 classic, being a little too slow and drawn out to be wholly effective (unless rocking chairs happen to be your thing), it is an undeniably creepy and atmospheric tale that cleverly uses the medium of horror to illustrate the tragedy of war.

In closing, the film is very original, as noted, but, of course, the comparisons to stories like aforementioned The Monkey’s Paw are undeniable, and could have some suggesting that it is solely a modern update on the be-careful-what-you-wish-for theme. But that’s ok as, overall this is an interesting film and fully deserves a fresh new generational viewing now it is out on 4K UHD.

Special Features:
Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) and HD Blu-ray (1080p) Widescreen 1.85:1 feature presentations
Audio: 1.0 DTS-HD MA (English)
Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol
Audio Commentary #1 with Co-Producer/Director Bob Clark
Audio Commentary #2 with Writer/Make-Up Artist (Uncredited) Alan Ormsby
NEW! Audio Commentary #3 with Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
A Recollection With Star Anya Liffey and Writer/Make-Up Artist Alan Ormsby
Notes For A Homecoming – Interview with Composer Carl Zittrer
Flying Down To Brooksville – Interview with Production Manager John ‘Bud’ Cardos
Tom Savini: The Early Years
Deathdreaming – Interview with Star Richard Backus
NEW! The First Andy – Interview with Actor Gary Swanson
Screen Test with Original Andy, Gary Swanson
Alan Ormsby Student Film
Alternate Opening Titles
Theatrical Trailer
Still Galleries

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